The Yoga Song

One of my son's Pre-K teachers, Jamie Moore suggested that I add a song to my list of children's music that focuses on yoga.   I thought that was an excellent idea, as I include "Yoga Pretzels" into the curriculum on occasion, to teach the value of exercise and relaxation to children.

So we started our yoga session today with a new song, called "It's Yoga Time."   The children really seemed to respond well to the words, the music, and the yoga actions we put together with the song.   I'm always amazed how little 2-5 year olds can absorb and understand at such a young age!    I'm hoping to make this song part of our ongoing ritual whenever we practice yoga.    I also hope this will be a great song of relaxation and peacefulness when it is added to the recording of upcoming children's songs we put on our CD.

Here are the lyrics:

It’s yoga time  –  it’s yoga time.   I’m so happy to exercise (repeat)

Take a deep breath – now let it out

Close your eyes – calm your body down

Let’s exercise and make our bodies stronger

Reach for your tippy toes – Bend and stretch

Relax your shoulders, arms and neck

Let’s exercise and make our bodies stronger

It’s yoga time  –  it’s yoga time.   I’m so happy to exercise (repeat)

Put your hands together – up toward the sky

Breathe in deeply – now let out a sigh

Let’s exercise and make our bodies stronger

Air in through your nose – Breathing in deep

Let it out slowly – you’re almost asleep!

It’s yoga time, let’s make our bodies stronger

Little Red Barn

I'm a farm girl...   yep, born and raised on an Iowa farm with cows, chickens, pigs... it was a great upbringing!   We milked cows, we fed our calves and chickens... yes, I did chores!  Daily... (sigh)

And even though I probably didn't appreciate it much at the time, my parents were instilling in me a strong work ethic that I still have today.    I think the experiences of growing up on a farm have made my family closer too.    I have 4 other brothers and sisters beside myself, and when we all get together for family gatherings, we share great memories growing up on the farm.

My son Jacob has a little red barn that our neighbor from back home made for him.   He will spend countless hours playing with all the animals, tractors, hay bales, etc. that are in the barn.   It's great entertainment for him ... and brings back wonderful memories for me, thus the inspiration for this next song, "Little Red Barn."

P.S.   Yes, "Farmer Junior" is my dad, in case you were wondering!  ;)

Little Red Barn

By: Denise Forney

(Verse 1)

In my little red barn, sits my little black cows, sits my little black cows in the hay

And the cows go, “moo, moo!” and the cows go, “moo, moo!”

As I’m playing with my little red barn today

(Verse 2)

In my little red barn, sits Farmer Junior, he’s milking his little black cows in the hay

Farmer Junior says, “Heigh yup!” and the cows go, “moo, moo!”

As I’m playing with my little red barn today

(Verse 3)

In my little red barn, sits my little yellow chicks, sits my little yellow chicks in the hay

And the chicks go, “peep, peep!” –  Farmer Junior says, “Heigh yup!”

And the cows go, “moo, moo!” – As I’m playing with my little red barn today

(Verse 4)

In my little red barn, sits my little pink pigs, sit my little pink pigs in the hay

And the pigs go, “oink, oink!” – And the chicks go, “peep, peep!”

Farmer Junior says, “Heigh yup!” – And the cows go, “moo, moo!”

As I’m playing with my little red barn today

(Verse 5)

In my little red barn, sits my little white sheep, sits my little white sheep in the hay

And the sheep go, “baa, baa!” – And the pigs go, “oink, oink!”

And the chicks go, “peep, peep!” – Farmer Junior says, “Heigh yup!”

And the cows go, “moo, moo!” – As I’m playing with my little red barn today

(Verse 6)

In my little red barn, sits my little brown horse, sits my little brown horse in the hay

And the horse goes, “neigh, neigh!” – And the sheep go, “baa, baa!”

And the pigs go, “oink, oink!” – And the chicks go, “peep, peep!”

Farmer Junior says, “Heigh yup!” – And the cows go, “moo, moo!”

As I’m playing with my little red barn today

(Verse 7)

In my little red barn, sits my little green tractor, sits my little green tractor in the hay

And the tractor goes, “vroom, vroom!” – And the horse goes, “neigh, neigh!”

And the sheep go, “baa, baa!” – And the pigs go, “oink, oink!”

And the chicks go, “peep, peep!” – Farmer Junior says, “Heigh yup!”

And the cows go, “moo, moo!” – As I’m playing with my little red barn today

As I’m playing with my little red barn today.

Tic-Tac-Toe, X's and O's

Okay, how can you not look at this face and completely fall in love?

That's my little sweetheart Jacob, and yes... what they say about little boys that have their mama's wrapped around their little finger is completely true!

I don't know how other working parents say goodbye to their children in the morning when they leave for work, but it can be so heart wrenching when your little one just doesn't want you to go.   I feel guilt, sadness, and sometimes just have a really hard time leaving.    So to make the process easier, my little guy and I have come up with our own little ritual.   There's a chain link fence on the playground right outside the center, and on nice days I can drop Jacob off on the playground, leave the center, and then walk over to the chain link fence to say goodbye.   This is where Jacob will give me his "tic-tac-toe" kisses, which consist of kissing me through the chain link fence, usually in a diagonal fashion, like tic-tac-toe.    I don't expect anyone else to understand why we do this, it's just our own little ritual.    I wanted to capture this ritual in a song, which was why I wrote, "X's and O's - Tic Tac Toe."

I recall another very cute ritual with another mom at the center, Mara White.   Her sweet little Sari was in the toddler room, and Sari would drive around the center, or past the playground, just so she would get a "rock star goodbye" from all the little toddlers as she drove by, beeping her horn.   It always cracked me up to see the little toddlers do this.  

There's also a verse dedicated to the teachers, because it certainly takes a village to raise a child, and we could not do our job effectively as working parents, if we didn't have wonderful teachers.   You know it has to be a calling, and that they absolutely love what they do to take care of children every single day.    I've been fortunate as a parent that my children have had amazing teachers in their lives.

So here's probably my most "sentimental" of all the children's songs I've written.   In fact, it's probably more for parents than it is for kids, truth be told!    Enjoy!

Tic-Tac-Toe, X’s and O’s

By: Denise Forney

 (Verse 1)               

There’s a little boy who’s waiting at the fence on the playground

He patiently waits for his mama to turn back around

She really needs to go soon; she’s late for work again

But she wouldn’t miss this moment to spend more time with him

So she tiptoes on back over for their daily ritual

Something silly just between them, her little guy seems to love

It makes him feel secure now, he knows it will be alright

His mama smiles and laughs with him and holds her son so tight as they play

(Chorus)

Tic-tac-toe through the chain link fence -- Butterfly kisses and a sweet caress

Little does he know, how it tears her up to go

So she’ll spend 1 more moment saying “I love you,” -- Zipping up his coat & tying his shoes

Just one more kiss, just one more hug; For the rest of the day, she’ll carry the love in

her heart   --   X’s and O’s  - Tic-tac-toe.        

    

(Verse 2)

There’s a little girl who’s waiting, looking out the window pain

She patiently waits for her daddy to turn around and wave

He really needs to go soon; the time is passing fast

But he can’t resist her little nose pressed against the glass

So he throws her one more kiss, which she catches in her hand

Then she places it on her cheek and makes the same motion to him

She knows that he’s her daddy who makes everything okay

What she doesn’t know is he’ll think of her every moment of his day with memories of

(Chorus)

Tic-tac-toe through the chain link fence -- Butterfly kisses and a sweet caress

Little does she know, how it tears him up to go

So he’ll spend 1 more moment saying “I love you,” Zipping up her coat & tying her shoes

Just one more kiss, just one more hug - For the rest of the day, he’ll carry the love in his

Heart;   X’s and O’s  - Tic-tac-toe.

             

(Verse 3)

There’s a classroom of little children, peering over the playground wall

Excited as can be, waiting for their little friend’s mom

They know she’ll come around soon, they’re waiting for her beep

And as she honks her horn, they giggle loudly, it’s the sweetest sight to see

They say it takes a village, so we trust them each day

To provide their care, to show and share -- to teach in every way

We know it must be a calling that they’re doing what they love

We can only appreciate their gifts, and never thank them near enough

As we share all our

(Chorus)

Tic-tac-toes through the chain link fence - Butterfly kisses and a sweet caress

Little do they know, how it tears us up to go

So we’ll spend one more moment saying “I love you,”

Zipping up their coats and tying their shoes

Just one more kiss, just one more hug

For the rest of the day, we’ll carry the love in our heart

X’s and O’s  - Tic-tac-toe.

Seasons Change

So there are these amazing apple trees right outside the center at Uncle Sam's.   My son Jacob is fascinated by them!   Every season, something new is going on with the trees, whether they are budding with beautiful flowers in the spring, growing apples in the summer, changing colors in the fall, or glistening with snowflakes in the winter.    Jacob loves giving me the updates every day on how the trees are changing.    

When Mother Nature cooperates and the weather is beautiful outside, I love to take the children outside and have music "under the trees," so we can feel the grass underneath our toes, touch the leaves, feel the sun on our face and the breeze on our skin.    Those are some of my favorite classes - when we are close to nature.

As I wrote this song, in honor of Jacob's observations and the classes I have outside with the children, I wanted to capture the growth that happens not only with trees, but with children and how we all change and grow as the seasons change.   Enjoy!

Seasons Change

By:  Denise Forney

Verse 1:  Look at all the flowers, budding on the tree branch

See them growing every day

They tell me spring is here as they’re blooming all around

It causes me to smile as I sing this little song:

“The seasons change  -- as the flowers grow

Yes spring is here, when there’s buds blooming all around

& I’m changing too - yes, me and you!  We change and grow, you know, as the seasons change.”

Verse 2: Look at all the apples, hanging on the tree branch

See them growing every day

They tell me summer’s here when I see this juicy fruit

It causes me to smile as I sing this little song:

“The seasons change  -- as the apples grow

Yes summer’s here, when there’s blue skies all around

And I’m changing too… yes, me and you!  

We change and grow – you know, as the seasons change.”

Verse 3:  Look at all the leaves, falling from the tree branch

See them changing colors each day

They tell me autumn’s here as the leaves are blowing ‘round

It causes me to smile as I sing this little song:

“The seasons change  -- as the leaves fall down

Yes fall is here when the leaves are blowing all around

And I’m changing too… yes, me and you!  

We change and grow – you know, as the seasons change.”

Verse 4:  Look at all the snowflakes, landing on the tree branch

See them falling every day

They tell me winter’s here when there’s snowflakes all around

It causes me to smile as I sing this little song:

“The seasons change  -- as the snow comes down

Yes winter’s here when there’s snowflakes all around

And I’m changing too… yes, me and you!  

We change and grow – you know, as the seasons change

We change and grow – you know, as the seasons change.”

Pitter Pitter Patter

Alright, I'm going to admit my weak spot.... yes, it's babies!

I love, love, love babies!    I love everything about them... how cute they are, their newborn smell, how everything is brand new to them.    I was an Anne Geddes freak before I had children...  her photography adorned every inch of my work space.   Now it could be argued that I have a shrine for my children at work, but my kids as babies are always what makes me breathe a sigh of nostalgia and how it felt to hold them, snuggle them, and just love them so much in those first couple precious years of their life.

So what do I do now to get my baby fix?    I teach music to babies, of course!  :)   I love spending time in the baby room at Uncle Sam's... bringing in my guitar and percussion instruments and see the look of wonder and delight on all the babies' faces as we enjoy music together.

Two sweet little babies, little miss Lucy (the director, Lisa Passalono's daughter) and Ariella, have the happiest little baby feet I've ever seen!   As soon as the music starts, those baby feet get going!   Thus, the inspiration for this next song, "Pitter, Pitter, Patter."

Pitter Pitter Patter

By: Denise Forney

(Chorus)

It’s the pitter pitter patter, pitter pitter patter of itty bitty baby’s feet

Happy little wiggle toes – look at just how fast they go

Movin’ and groovin’ to the beat

No we don’t know where those feet will take you, baby

But we know you’re going to go far

It won’t be long before you’re on your tippy toes

Reaching for the stars, whoa…. (chorus)

You might be scooting across the floor today

Pulling yourself up soon

It won’t be long before you’re on your tippy toes

Reaching for the moon, whoa…. (chorus)

Watching you grow, is exciting you know

Those dancing feet sure do have fun

It won’t be long before you’re on your tippy toes

Reaching for the sun, whoa….  (chorus)

Please and Thank You

When I was thinking about songs that I wanted to write for a children's CD, I knew I wanted to include one that had "please and thank you."   Learning to use our manners is something that is so important, and it's music to any parent's (or teacher's) ear when little ones say, "please" and "thank you."    When I was a childcare director years ago, I remember a sweet little boy named Charlie who started every conversation he had with, "Excuse me....."   It was so endearing!

Within the lyrics of the song, there is one line that goes, "They are words that are nice to hear, every day of the year."   That line was inspired by my soon to be 5-year old son, Jacob.   He sings a song in his Pre-K classroom about the months of the year, and is always running around our house singing, "These are the months of the year.... fill them with joy, and cheer, the months of the year!!"    I had to include a line about "every day of the year," in honor of the way Jacob sings his songs with such gusto!

This song was played during Music-n-Motion during the week of Thanksgiving, the day before the feast for all the families at the center.   It was perfect timing to tie this song into manners we use when we are at the dinner table.    "Thank you" for reading my post and I hope you enjoy!

Please and Thank You

By: Denise Forney

(Verse 1)

I like to use my manners

I use them every day

My mommy is so proud of me

Whenever she hears me say

(Chorus)

“Please and thank you!   Please and thank you!”

When I need something I say, “please”

“Please and thank you!   Please and thank you!”

Then “thank you” for helping me

They are words that are nice to hear every day of the year

(Verse 2)

My sister uses her manners

When she sits down to eat

My daddy always smiles at her

And tells her that she’s sweet….   When she says    (Chorus)

(Verse 3)

My brother uses his manners

Whenever he plays with toys

My mother always thanks him

For being a good little boy….   When he says    (Chorus)

Hello Around the World

I have always been intrigued by other languages and the beautiful sound of voices from so many different cultures.    I wanted to write a song for children that brings different cultures together in a common way - by how we greet each other.  Every one says "Hello" in some way in their culture.  I chose to write a song where children can repeat the word "hello" in a different language.

As I shared my newest original "Hello Around the World" with the students at Uncle Sam's this week, I marveled at their ability to repeat and remember all the different languages.   One little boy in the Pre-K, Landon - was so bright that he even pointed out in my original version of the song, I failed to include the Polish version of "hello," which happens to be "Czesc."   Who knew?!   Well, apparently Landon did and called me on it!   So, thanks to Landon, the Polish population have been properly represented in this song.    I hope you enjoy!

Hello Around the World

By: Denise Forney

Oh, the world is becoming a smaller place
Everywhere we go

Anywhere that we might travel

We can say “hello”

We say, “Hola” (repeat - Oh-lah) to my friends in Spanish

We say, “Bonjour” (repeat - bohn-zhoor) to my friends in French

We say, “Hejsan” (repeat - HEY-sun) to my friends in Swedish

We say, “Ni hao” (repeat - nee how) to my friends in Chinese

Oh, the world is becoming a smaller place
Everywhere we go

Anywhere that we might travel

We can say “hello”

We say, “Jambo” (repeat – JAHM-boh) to my friends in Swahili

We say, “Aloha” (repeat – Aloha to my friends in Hawaiian

 “Konnichiwa” (repeat Ko-nee-chee-wa) to my friends in Japanese

We say, “Czesc” (repeat - Chesht) to my friends in Polish

Oh, the world is becoming a smaller place
Everywhere we go

Anywhere that we might travel

We can say “hello”

We say “Annyong” (repeat – ahn-yohng) to my friends in Korean                                         

We say “Privet” (repeat – preev-YET) to my friends in Russian                                 

We say “Namaste” (repeat nah-MUS-stay) to my friends in Hindi
and “Shalom) (repeat sha-lome) to my friends in Hebrew

Oh, the world is becoming a smaller place
Everywhere we go

Anywhere that we might travel

We can say “hello” 
We can say "hello"

Polka Dot, Plaid and Paisley

I am starting a blog today about the process of writing a children's musical CD.   I am very excited to take on this endeavor, as it's always been a lifelong dream of mine to write music and create something of value for others to enjoy.  

I am a mother of three beautiful children, Rachel (10), Kailtyn (7 1/2) and Jacob (5).  All three have attended Bright Horizon centers since they were babies.   I am blessed to have been a director at Uncle Sam's Federal Childcare Center when the girls were babies.   It was wonderful taking the children to work with me on a daily basis.   I have also been fortunate to provide music at the center over the past five years in an enrichment program called "Music-n-Motion."    All three of my children were able to participate in this program, and over 40 children in the center participate in these weekly classes I offer on Tuesdays.  

Maybe it's the nostalgia of my son's last year in Pre-K...  or maybe it's my longing to leave a legacy in my life where I can be long remembered after my days on earth or over...   but I am setting off on an adventure of creating a musical CD this year, called "Polka Dot, Plaid and Paisley."   I've been writing songs that are based upon my experiences teaching music at the center, and the lives of countless children who experience wonderful care in a Bright Horizons Center.    I will be posting about each song that is written, and I hope you enjoy this journey with me!

The first song is called, "Polka Dot, Plaid and Paisley."   It will also be the cover title of the CD.   This song was inspired by three beautiful little girls.   The first one being my 7 year old daughter, Kaitlyn.  

Kaitlyn has a very unique fashion sense and is not afraid to mix and match a variety of different styles to be "unique."  One day she managed to put together an outfit for school that had a combination of polka dot, plaid and paisley... thus the inspiration for this song.   The personalities that come through in the lyrics belong to two sweet little girls I've taught in Pre-K,  Audrey and Sari.  Both are bundles of energy that never stop, and pure joy to have in Music-n-Motion.    I hope you enjoy the lyrics to "Polka Dot, Plaid and Paisley."

Polka Dot, Plaid and Paisley

By:  Denise Forney

(Verse 1) I know a girl just three feet tall wears polka-dot, plaid and paisley

Picks out clothes all by herself - they’re polka-dot, plaid and paisley

She’s colorful as can be decked out from head to tippy toe

And oh that girl, I love her so –

She’s polka-dot, plaid and paisley

(Verse 2) She’s ready to go on her next adventure - polka-dot, plaid and paisley

Hanging from a star and you can’t quite catch her

Polka-dot, plaid and paisley

She can dance on air, spin around on top

Blow her balloon up til it POPS!

A bundle of energy that never stops,

She’s polka-dot, plaid and paisley

Polk, Polka-dot, Plaid, Polka-dot, Paisley --

Polk, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley

(Verse 3) She’s sugar and spice and everything nice – she’s polka-dot, plaid and paisley

Up early in the morning; sleeps late at night

She’s polka-dot, plaid and paisley

She bounces up and down, all around the room

She’s zippety-do-dah, flash, Ka-BOOM!

& my heart melts when she says, “I Love You!”

She’s polka-dot, plaid and paisley

Polk, Polka-dot, Plaid, Polka-dot, Paisley --

Polk, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley